Cozy Up!

NEW! This hot arrival from the C.F. Martin & Co. 1833 Shop ROCKS fall! Made of 100% cotton, this full zip, pigment dyed hoodie is perfect for taking the chill off. Has the Martin logo in distressed fashion across the front. Open Mic Bag with Guitar Strap by Overland Equipment. The perfect Christmas gift!

Order online at the 1833 Shop!

Best Guitar Gear for 2010 is coming up next!

In the Studio & On the Road

Dr. M. during the second set of a performance with the Church Street Ramblers at a charity event. Guitar: Martin SWDGT, a D-18GT Sustainable Series. Cotton pleated skirt by Club Monaco, 5th Ave., NYC

Not all microphones are created equal. That is why when I perform, I prefer to bring my own rig and not use the house mics. I also use mic preamps to smooth out peaks and valleys in the signal while adding a bit of compression and reverb. All of these elements make for a polished performance and confidence on stage.

Most venues still use dynamic mics. They may have gone wireless but they are still dynamic and in my opinion muddy as compared to the condensers I use in the studio and on tour. I learned early on to bring the best gear to recapture that "studio sound". Using Audio-Technica's ATM710 condenser mic with my DigiTech Vocalist Live 2 and Vocalist Live 4 immediately brought the professional sound I was looking and listening for to my live performances. There is no reason to be afraid of condensers any more if you use the right ones and place them away from the speakers. Now if your style consists of screaming into the mic well, a condenser might not be for you. However if you wish to pick up subtle nuances in your vocals and instrumentals...get a good condenser!

How you prepare for your concerts will certainly effect the finished product, that is your on stage appearance. Getting your sound stage under control starts in the studio. This is where you begin to try out different microphones to see how they work and respond. You can also try wireless applications in the studio first before taking them on the road. We tried a Fender wireless system which was made for one of their PA systems. It came with a dynamic headset mic which was adequate but nothing to write home about. Even worse, it could only be used with that particular Fender amp. We went back to Audio-Technica and found that they had a condenser wireless system utilising the same ATM710 mic that we were so impressed with as a cabled mic! Now we were on to something as Audio-Technica's Series 3000 Wireless System was very easy to set up and unlike the Fender, did not require a trans pack. A battery within the mic housing provides the phantom power needed. The results were pretty incredible. Sparkling clarity and transparency on vocals and everything else you want to throw at it. Nearly feedback proof, it has an easy to access mute button and UHF offering multiple channels.

Mic preamps are a must for recording in the studio but also have a place on the road. Many come as rack mounts but I prefer to travel light. Moreover foot pedals allow me to make adjustments for my vocals and guitar with out having to turn my back to the audience to do so. While I really enjoy using my BOSS GT-10 guitar multi-effector for recording, it's just overkill for most venues. The DigiTech RP-90 is a good alternative for my electric guitar or I'll pack a smaller harmonizer such as the Vocalist Live 2 (VL2) or the Electro Harmonix Voice Box + Vocoder. These preamps or signal processors help to even out your vocals and give you great harmonies by tracking your guitar chords. In the studio, I use the Vocalist Live 4 with pitch correction and many more tweakable features I want on my recordings. Same thing with the GT-10 which has nearly 400 presets for clean and dirty guitar. I also use the far more sensitive Audio-Technica AT4047/SV condenser with the Vocalist Live 4 and the T.C. Helicon VoiceTone Harmony G with the Audio-Technica AT4050 multi pattern condenser. This sort of effort truly pays off when you play back your newly burned CD's. Likewise a poor quality mic can fail to capture your spontaneous creativity.

So what does my road rig look like? A lot like my recording studio! Depending on the size of the venue, it can be a very simple set up with my instrument, condenser mics, signal processor and drum and bass machine. I use the BOSS Dr. Rhythm boxes both live and on recordings and have been very pleased with their easy operation and results. In fact, I got the Instructional DVD for the BOSS DR880 which shows basic and more advanced programming. Really my road rig mirrors my studio rig with the exception of the digital recording equipment. I've also found that there are high-low alternatives. Take for example, if you can not afford the VL4, consider the VL2 or the Voice Box which will still give you basic harmonies and a great finish on your vocals at about half the price. Sometimes it is wiser to leave your more fragile and expensive studio boxes in the studio. I would include the VL4 in that category. I've taken on the road but always used a padded flight case. Plastic knobs and pedals often do not fare well roadwise. All metal chasis and foot switches tend to hold up much better. Once you practice with quality gear you will want to showcase this level of precision for live performances. So here are My Studio and Road Rig Picks!

See more essential gear from my private studio and road set up in the left hand column with some great deals PLUS FREE shipping to boot! Coming Up Soon..... our Best Guitar Gear for 2010 hit list and our Top Gear for Audiophiles. Check this out before you do any gift shopping!

Kanye Interrupts Again!

Kanye is at it again? He hasn't even heard my CD so how does he know Beyonce's is better? Either way, I appear unruffled by his critique. Look for coverage of my upcoming CD project with C.F. Martin Guitars, Audio-Technica Microphones & Planet Waves Custom Pro Mic Cables!

Rockin' at Russo's

Dr. M. having a rockin' good time at Russo Music Center!

Martin Sustainable Wood Series D-18 in Cherry. Long Tee by Audio-Technica

Time for New Guitar Strings?

Some days are just made for good times. Most guitarists revel in spending a little time at their favorite music shop among instruments they may dream of owning someday. This past Friday afternoon was sunny and warm. Perfect for a ride out to Russo Music Center located at 1989 Arena Drive in Hamilton, NJ. Better than a candy store for guitarists, this store has beautiful Martins, Gibsons, Fenders and Taylors to name only a few top brands. My mission was to seek out someone knowledgeable about guitar strings especially for my acoustic guitars. I know what new strings or even a change in the type of strings can do for your tone and playability. At a Free Martin Guitar Clinic, Dave Evans put a set of light strings on my D-16GT which has a pickup. That guitar has sung so sweetly ever since! It also plays like a dream and has become my favorite now. PHOTO: Professional Guitarist Barry Peterson stops in to play a Martin Eric Clapton Signature 000-28. Hear our podcast of him playing "Tears in Heaven" on this guitar! Dr. M's Radio Show

If you want to take your acoustic playing to the next level, let me suggest at least trying some new strings. A seasoned guitar tech will be able to tell you which strings to choose based on your picking style, genre of music and of course the size of your guitar. I always thought putting light strings on a Dreadnought was a bad idea. This might be true if you are playing it acoustically. In my case, I only use my D-16GT in the studio for recording and with an amp. Therefore, having heavier strings for more volume was not necessary in this case.

I really began to have my eyes opened to new possibilities when Chris Colletti showed me the advantages and disadvantages of using certain string gauges on my acoustic guitars. After a little discussion, he was able to figure out the perfect fit for my two Martins, the SWDGT which is a D-18GT in cherry and the Little Martin LX1E. Sometimes strings can just go dead from being on too long. Chris made a lot of checks in the alignment of the neck, the bridge and other points to make sure the action was as low as possible without buzzing. Chris also said a Luthier can sometimes work on a saddle to make the action lower, making the guitar effortless to play.

Chris also suggested that I try a set of Elixirs Nanoweb technology strings which are very comfortable to play. They changed my vision of what medium strings could feel like! I don't know about you but I don't care for heavily calloused finger pads. The strings will be a make or break factor in how often I'll pick up the guitar too. Martin SP Lights were a revelation in what a change in string gauge can make in your playing and the guitar's response. I doubt if I'll ever go back to Medium strings on my D-16! Using the lighter strings even helped lower the action naturally on this guitar.

TIP: If you want to maintain volume and bass, you'll most often need to stick with a medium or heavier gauged string. Try splitting the difference with something like the Martin SP Light / Medium strings. Sort of a half and half approach. They seemed more balanced for my Little Martin without any significant loss of tone or volume. I am one happy picker now!

PHOTO ABOVE: Chris Colletti, one of the guitar pros at Russo Music Center doing a set up on my Martin SWDGT.

Want to learn more? Listen to some great guitar playing by professional entertainer, Barry Peterson and Chris Colletti's advice on how to pick the best strings for YOUR guitar.

It's all right here at Dr. M's Radio Show Podcast LIVE from Russo Music Center!

PHOTO: Dr. M and her Little Martin LX1E with new Martin SP Medium/Light Strings. Pigment Dyed Distressed Hoodie by Audio-Technica.

Rev Gen 2009 Exceeds Expectations

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot capping off Saturday night's line up at the 2009 Revelation Generation music festival.

Christian rock, contemporary, urban, metal, acoustic and some genres yet undefined were offered at this year's Revelation Generation concert in Frenchtown New Jersey, Sept. 4-5th. With its professional sound & staging effects, it is easy to see how this event is one of the most well attended in the tri-state area. As a family oriented venue providing many types of music to sample, it is Delaware Valley's premier music festival.

According to concert promoter Sean Grom, over 25,000-30,000 people were expected this Labor Day Weekend and the weather plus the music made for a incredible turn out. Offering more than just great music, the Revelation Generation concerts have opportunities to minister and be ministered to. Five stages, games, skateboarding exhibitions, food and merchandise vendors make this a true festival in every sense.
Photo: Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay performing on Friday night. Together for over 16 years they released their tenth album, Long Fall Back to Earth this past April 2009.

Last Concert for Delirious?

Every concert has a story. Rev Gen is celebrating it's 5th anniversary this year. Their quest to provide wholesome musical and cultural entertainment has been met with success evidenced by huge increases in attendance each year. This is at a time when many other concerts are being cancelled because they can't fill the seats. People are looking for value for their purchasing dollar. Spending a day out with your children in farm country is becoming even more appealing as the economy continues to regain its footing.

This year was bitter-sweet as were watching one of the last performances by Delirious as a band. Impeccably dressed, all of the members showcased immense virtuosity while sealing the deal with their performance of My Soul Sings which will likely be their final CD. Better known for such spiritual anthems as the 1994 classic, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever and My Glorious, this is one of their last American dates.

Photo: Members of the British band, Delirious during a radio show interview in the press tent. This is the group's last tour according to Martin Smith (far right), who does lead vocals and guitar.

BarlowGirl & Fireflight-Women Taking Charge

With male bands dominating, it was refreshing to see some all women bands. Barlowgirl are three sisters and integrated groups such as Flyleaf and Fireflight. As many of the concert goers were young women this was encouragement for them to get involved and express themselves musically.

Barlowgirl did a fantastic job of reaching out to the audience both musically and emotionally. Speaking as a sisterhood, they spoke to the audience about choices and opportunities.

The family warmth they share extended to the crowd. Their playing was a little reserved perhaps because of their their family church origins. That's simply their performing mode. All the same the vocals were tight and well done. BarlowGirl has four albums out with another one being released on September 22 nd, 2009. Photo Above: Rebbecca Barlow on her Gibson during BarlowGirl's Saturday afternoon set on the New York stage.

Taking Flight

We also liked Fireflight as the women in that band were not shy to take some of the same risks as the guys do in post grunge. Fireflight played with heart but left the "croaking" to the guys in the band. Very well balanced between high energy and artistic expression. True to form.

Featured on tour with Disciple, Family Force 5 and Decyfer Down, Fireflight has also played Shoutfest. Their album, The Healing of Harms was their major label debut. This 2006 release reached #37 on Billboard Magazine's Top Christian Albums chart.
Photo: Fireflight taking off Saturday afternoon on the Philadelphia Stage.

Relient K, Reliably Rocked

Relient K, so named after one of the band member's cars by the same moniker. Known for their sometimes quirky, oftentimes moving lyrics and high energy stage shows, they are one band you will not forget. Although they are categorized as a pop-punk band, they defy pigeon holing. Their frontman, Matthew Thiessen, showed amazing versatility on the piano and guitar while holding it all down with solid vocal performances. Not afraid to sweat but still looking very fresh, the band gets big kudos for knowing what the audience wants and then bringing it.

Thiessen knows how to interact with the audience while keeping a tight hold on the set list. It was great seeing him switch from a Gibson to a trumpet for what he called one of the band's silly songs. There was nothing silly about their performance which got the audience motivated and involved.

Relient K's upcoming tour includes Australia this month with their new album, Forget and Not Slow Down, set for an October 6 release. To find out more about the band's concerts and CD's visit Relient K online.

Photo: Matthew Thiessen during Relient K's Saturday afternoon performance at Rev Gen. PODCAST ALERT!!! Hear our LIVE Podcast from Relient K's Rev Gen performance at Dr. M's Radio Show.

MercyMe
After their cross-over hit, I Can Only Imagine, MercyMe has sold millions of discs, toured the world and are consistently on the radio station's playlists. Why? Well perhaps part of the package is their warmth. Hailing from Texas, they are not ashamed of their Southern Baptist roots. While on tour last month, the band was involved in a fatal crash when a vehicle turned into the path of their tour bus. No one on the bus was seriously injured but all four passengers traveling in the car were killed. MercyMe has continued their touring despite this tragedy which says something about their convictions to their work in reaching people. Their latest album, All That is Within Me is being promoted amidst non-stop touring. They are also helping the Go Foundation which is a missionary cause. Visit MercyMe to learn more about their work and music. Photo: Bart Millard, lead vocalist. MercyMe's performance of I Can Only Imagine was a moving interlude.

The Revelation Generation festival is perhaps one of the best organized events I've covered to date. Most of the staff are volunteers and I have found them to be genuinely concerned with the safety and welfare of the concert goers. The grounds are clean and the crowds very well behaved with perhaps a little expected rowdiness amongst metal fans at the Philadelphia Stage.

One of the standout performances of the concert was Needtobreathe's Yahweh. What impressed me with the band's tightness and unity in playing. Their music video for this song reminds me of a Beatles theme. They are definitely the band to watch. There are concerts and there are events. This was a happening. Hands down the Revelation Generation Concert of 2009 was the best to date and a must-go for music lovers of all genres.

Photo: Relient K's bass guitarist, John Warne working that Fender during their Saturday afternoon performance.

For more information on the Revelation Generation concert series, visit them online.

All photos under Copyright 2009 Dr. M. All rights reserved.

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Rev Gen's 2008 Concert

Little Martin Hits the Road!

My Little Martin LX1E is the perfect travel companion. Here it is on the front porch of our cabin in the forest. On the neck is Planet Waves' NS Capo.

If you are getting ready to head off to college or guitar classes this fall, allow me to let you in on a little secret. The Little Martin LX1E is a great 3/4 sized guitar with a solid spruce top and a pickup. We took it along on vacation and its small size really was a plus when it came to packing. In fact, it will fit in a bus or plane's overhead compartment so you won't need to check it. This can save you time and give you peace of mind for the trip.


Rugged Little Guitar

If you are going to be traveling to areas of high humidity or fluctuating temperature extremes, the Little Martin will be right at home. While my other two Martins have solid wood backs and sides, the Little Martin has HPL on all but the soundboard. This high pressure laminate does not react to humidity and temperature changes the way my solid wood guitars do. It stays in tune longer because it is not affected by the wood's swelling or contracting. The well padded gig-bag, (see tent photo here), is also a plus. Very lightweight but quite protective, it sports the official C.F. Martin logo. The outer pouch has two heavy zipper pulls and is large enough to accommodate sheet music or standard sized song books. The bag also has backpack straps and a handle so you can carry it two ways.

Now after having played full sized Martin Dreadnoughts, I would have to say that I am quite spoiled when it comes to tone. The Little Martin is not a full sized guitar obviously but it does have good projection acoustically. I've played it in the company of multiple Martin D-18's, D-28's and D-42's and was not in the least embarrassed. It is after all still a Martin, only smaller. Many other Martin owners even asked if they could play it! If it sounded bad, trust me, they would have had nothing to do with it. In fact when we visited the Martin Museum, we noticed quite a few "parlor" guitars that were not much bigger than the Little Martin. Where it really shines, however is when you plug it into a good clean amp. I play it in the studio over my Tech21 Trademark 60 amp and it is hard to imagine all that full, rich sound is coming from a 3/4 sized guitar! Played through the clean channel of this solid state 60 watt amp, the pickup and preamp help reproduce the rich, woody tones Martins are known for. On the road, I perform and tour with a vintage Crate amp and this guitar can definitely keep up.

On Board Pick Up-The Fishman Mini Q

What I really like is the position of the pickup and 1/4 inch jack on the Little Martin LX1E. The Fishman Mini Q system is an under saddle piezo with the pre-amp battery compartment mounted on the side just under the strap button. Down in the lower bout of the guitar, it is out of the way making it less likely you will hit the dials during a song. I have a Fishman Ellipse Matrix Blend on my Martin D-16GT so I am well acquainted with more complex preamps and pickups. The Fishman Mini Q gets the job done with a minimal amount of fuss having only tone and volume controls to adjust. The battery is easy to change as it pops out of the compartment without having to remove the strings. This is such a fantastic value as this guitar can be used for performance as well as travel.

I use SpectraFlex braided guitar cables with a silent plug feature, (see their banners), and get wonderful tone with this guitar. It comes with Medium Martin strings but on a guitar this size, you may be able to get away with Lights. I use the smaller and more compact NS Capo by Planet Waves because it fits more proportionately. The new Planet Waves Headstock Tuner is also best to use on this guitar. Other tuners often do not register the low E and other bass strings at all. The 1/4 jack means that you can also plug it into a tuner like the BOSS TU-2. Choices!


The Wrap

The Little Martin LX1E is a lot of guitar for the money. The list is $499.99 but street is around $350.00. It is the guitar that you won't mind taking out on rainy days or throwing into the back of a sun warmed car. The solid spruce top is a real plus as 90% of the guitar's tone is generated from the soundboard. Well made and sturdy this is the guitar I use in my music ministry. People love to touch your instruments and I believe instruments should touch people. The smaller size also allows me to use it while visiting in hospital rooms when a big body guitar would be awkward. It is perfect for young people and women because its smaller scale makes it easier to fret as well as hold. Made with pride in North America by the world's oldest and most respected luthiers it will be accompanying me to guitar class this September. See the complete Litttle Martin Series at:

C.F. Martin Guitar Online


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This fall we will be offering more FREE Guitar Gear Give-Aways plus our picks of Best Guitar Gear for 2010! Also, hot reviews of equipment from Audio-Technica, T.C. Helicon, Monster Cable, Planet Waves and MUCH, MUCH MORE. Be sure to check back!

Martin Owner's Club Day 2009

Thom Bresh, son of Country Hall of Fame guitarist, Merle Travis, performs at the 4th annual Martin Owner's Club Day in Nazareth, PA. Podcast is on Dr. M's Radio Show: http://doctorm.tumblr.com/

The 4th Annual Martin Owner's Club Day once again offered its members fantastic food, fun, gifts and entertainment. Some of the best guitarists in the world play Martins and to help celebrate this event, Thom Bresh, son of the legendary Country Hall of Famer, Merle Travis, put in amazing performance. Also on stage was blues and rag master, Kenny Sultan from California with his signature Martin. Owner's Club Day is a picnic and fair hosted at the Martin Factory in Nazareth Pennsylvania. Martin guitar owners come from all over the world and it is not uncommon to hear many different languages spoken at this event. The day began with a continental breakfast of scrumptious muffins and pastries, coffee and tea. Then a catered lunch was served by a company who specializes in Ox and Pig Roasts. All the picnic favorites were there including baked beans, macaroni and cheese plus a really delicious pulled pork barbecue. There was an open mic performance where Martin Club members signed up to get on stage. There was a lot of talent on hand!

During the day there were guitar workshops, guided factory tours and trips through the museum which houses guitars owned by Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Gene Autry and many, many others. Some, such as the one owned by Roy Rogers have gone on auction at Christies for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Kenny Sultan came on stage after the open mic session and lit it up! He explained simple chords and using a one string baseline for his blues style. Everyone enjoyed his playing as was evidenced by the applause and whistles. Next Thom Bresh took the stage and amazed everyone with his "Travis" picking style with some licks he himself invented. Bresh is a true comedian and did really good impressions of other country artists such as the hard to imitate, Willie Nelson. He also did a very smooth version of Nine Pound Hammer that his father, Merle Travis wrote. He explained that the part in the song that goes, "Roll on Buddy", is actually a call to his mule! Bresh has a new DVD out called Breshman which can be accessed at his photo in the banner ad section to your left.


Kenny Sultan, master of Blues and Rag music performing on stage at Martin's Owner's Club Day

This event is a wonderful expression of Martin's enduring commitment to their customers. Each member received a

"swag bag" of Martin goodies such as picks, a polishing cloth, strings, decals and patches. Additionally last year we also received a free subscription to Premier Guitar magazine and special discounts on newly released LX guitars. This year Martin guitar artist, Robert F. Goetzl had a prototype available featuring his artwork on a new LX guitar featuring factory illustrations showing the stages of crafting a Martin Guitar. One of the highlights of the day is Chris Martin's member address after which he graciously autographed guitars and other souveniers.

Martin Factory Tour

During Martin Owner's Club Day, many members take in the guided tours through the Martin factory. The Martin Factory Tours have been rated one of the BEST factory tours in the U.S.A. It is about an hour long and takes you through the various stages of creating a Martin Guitar. You are also able to stop by the Custom Shop during this tour and see some incredible restoration and inlay work being done. Each guitar takes between 2-3 months to make.

The hour long tour is very educational, showing the intricate steps in the construction of their guitars. For example did you know that Martin invented the Dreadnought guitar? It is the most copied acoustic body in the world but Martin created it first. Also X-Bracing which is used as the industry standard to support the guitar's soundboard was also invented by C.F. Martin. After 176 years, I think they know what they are doing! Membership in the Martin Owners Club is a real value. As a member, you receive the Sounding Board which is a full color magazine of all things Martin plus their yearly catalog and price lists. You also get a Martin full color calendar plus free strings and other specially made Owner's Club merchandise. Want to be a part of the "club"? Get details on how to join at: Martin Guitar http://www.martinguitar.com/

Hanging with the Martin Guitars in front of the Visitor's Center!

Congratulations to John M., winner of our C.F. Martin and Planet Waves Guitar Gear Give-Away. John won sets of Martin light and medium SP strings, Martin Banjo Strings and the legendary Planet Waves NS Capo! Next Give-Away will feature the new Planet Waves Headstock Tuner among the other cool prizes.

Guitar Gear Give-Away!

Congratulations!!! John Montalbano is our Top Winner of C.F. Martin Guitar and Banjo strings PLUS the legendary Planet Waves NS Guitar Capo! Thanks to all who entered...

We all should look for the "freebies" in life these days! C.F. Martin and Planet Waves want you to have a super summer so they are joining with Eclectic Sound for another fantastic guitar gear give-away. You can win everything here except for the $40,000 Martin Guitar! First, let's talk about some of the prizes and how they will benefit your playing.



Planet Waves NS Capo

This is my favorite capo and the only one I use on my Martin guitars. It is so lightweight and compact, I can get it on quickly with nearly one hand. No buzzing and it won't pull your guitar out of tune after using it. A capo is very handy for when let's say the key of G is too high but you don't want to change the chording when you transpose the song to a lower key. Simply place the capo on the fourth fret and play the same G pattern chords only now you will be playing in the key of B. Easy! You'll also find that playing up the neck, the frets are closer together, more so than in 1st position. Capoing can relieve the stress of over stretching your fingers, making playing your guitar much more comfortable.

Using a capo can also add texture to multiple guitars. Many of the earlier folk groups such as the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary were said to have used a capo to set one guitar's tone apart from the others. Chet Atkins even used a capo! Ned Steinberger is the genius behind this capo design, hence the "NS" in its name. Works wonderfully on 6 and 12 string guitars. Lightweight aluminum adds virtually no weight to the guitar's neck when in use. Everyone who borrows mine says, "Wow, this is nice!" So here's your chance to win one for yourself. Visit Planet Waves online for more useful capos and guitar accessories: Planet Waves http://www.planetwaves.com

Martin Acoustic SP Light Guitar Strings-MSP4100's

These are the new strings that I had put on at the Martin Guitar Clinic this spring. These are the LIGHT gauge, (.012-.054) premium phosphor bronze

strings. The SP stands for sustained playability and I have to say they live up to their name. These are the strings I am now recording with on my Martin D-16. The lighter strings are a joy adding to greater bending and slides. Plus they are perfect for when too much volume could induce feedback in my sensitive studio condenser mics. With the pickups installed on my D-16, I can get away with more intricate tone because I needn't "drive" the guitar for it to be heard on the recordings. These strings have ultra-high tensile strength steel cores that resist breaking. In fact, I've never yet broken a Martin string. The acoustic bronze electro finish provides greater string life and looks beautiful against the solid spruce top.

Martin Custom Shop

It's great to know that the same strings that are being put on this $40,000 Martin D-100 are on my humble D-16!

During Martin Owner's Club Day we got to stop in at the custom shop and see all kinds of Martin Guitars receiving special details and pearl inlay. Some are in for repairs or after being rescued from neglect and damage. No matter. They all get a new set of premium Martin strings before leaving the shop to sound their absolute best. Take the Martin Factory & Museum Tour yourself! The Martin Owner Club event is being held this year on Friday, July 31st 2009. Get the details under the events listings, CONCERTS-WORKSHOPS-JAMS.

Martin Acoustic SP Guitar Strings-Medium MSP4200's

One of the things that you can do is experiment with different string gauges. These strings offer the same features as the other SP acoustic strings only in a MEDIUM gauge, (.013-.056). If you are playing with lighter strings and you want more "boom" in your bottom end, you might try using heavier strings. These are the stings that I had put on my Martin D-18 in sustainable cherry. These medium strings allow me to drive this dedicated acoustic to greater volumes as my D-18 doesn't have a pickup. The cherry also does not offer the same "boom" of the mahogany or rosewood models but with the right strings, I'm able to definitely be heard. Having a guitar with a different wood construction will also allow you to stand out in the mix. It is said that the cherry is more balanced with a medium or mid range tone. You want to offer something a little different that what everyone else is playing. I really enjoy my D-18 with these medium strings. I even gave a set to my guitar teacher. His guitar sounded like gold once he got them on! Visit C.F. Martin & Co. online: http://www.martinguitar.com

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!!! GIVE-AWAY ENTRY DETAILS!!! So are you ready to win all of these sweet prizes? Two sets of Martin Acoustic Guitar or Banjo strings and the Planet Waves NS Capo can be yours! Answer this question by clicking the COMMENTS link below: "What was the first song you used a capo with?" That's it! Deadline is 12 midnight, July 31st, 2009. Be sure to leave your email address so that we can contact you if you win. Go for it!

Martin Guitar Clinic Rocks!

Check it out! FREE Guitar Gear Give-Aways on July 1 st!!!

C.F. Martin & Planet Waves - cool prizes in the left hand column.

Dr. M with a Martin D-16GT, George Molchany and Russo Music Center sales manager, Chris Colletti

Guitar lovers of all ages were treated to an informative yet entertaining evening at Russo Music Center in Hamilton NJ last night. Hosted by this very busy music store, all seats were filled with standing room only. This event featured George Molchany who works at the Martin Factory doing final guitar inspections. Obviously he logs a lot of time playing. Even more than that, Molchany is a highly experienced luthier having more than 20 years experience building guitars. His intimate knowledge of the construction and tonal properties of the different woods was impressive. While the audience was made up of quite a few well informed Martin-mavens, George Molchany and Dave Evans handled all questions extremely well.

George Molchany & a Martin X-Braced Soundboard

One of things we enjoyed was seeing how a quality guitar is made. Nothing really compares to the Martin Guitar Factory tour but this was a great introduction. After a brief history of the first C.F. Martin's immigration from Germany, Molchany showed us the patented X-Bracing first developed by the company. The model he is holding also showed scalloped bracing on the reverse side which allows the soundboard to vibrate even more. A lighter scalloped bracing generally means a louder guitar.

What impressed me is that these innovations in guitar construction have been since copied by other luthiers yet people continue to buy Martin guitars for that "Martin Sound". Molchany & Evans also discussed the differences in warmth or brightness between woods. I have a D-16GT which has a Mahogany back and sides. I also have a D-18 in sustainable cherry and can notice the difference between the two. It was said that the Mahogany has a brighter tone with more treble and midrange qualities. It was pointed out that Mahogany is inching up on the list of endangered exotic woods. Martin has recently found a new source of sustainable, certified wood which is being used in their D Mahogany 09. The cherry used in my SWDGT is harvested in western PA. Definitely a "home grown" guitar!

George Molchany & Dave Evans on Blues

One of the many highlights of the evening was hearing Molchany play. Later Dave Evans joined him on a few gutsy blues songs such as Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out and T.V. Hearing these guys play was totally worth the trip out.

You really got a chance to hear what these guitars can do. Molchany has a wide repertoire but the guitars kept up beautifully. Although they brought about 16 guitars with them from the factory, Russo Music already had an expansive stock of Martins and other quality American made acoustics on the floor. The center offers guitar classes, so after hearing the music, some of the students also joined in on the fun. With so many guitars to try, everyone one got a chance to play the guitar of their dreams. I even took a turn on that sweet D-28 Marquis pictured below! Visit Russo Music Center online at: http://www.russomusic.com/

For more information about Martin Guitar, their Factory Tour, Gift Shop and Museum click here: http://www.martinguitar.com/

PODCAST ALERT! You can hear an audio clip of George Molchany playing at this event at Dr. M's Radio Show Podcasts: http://doctorm.tumblr.com/

An event attendee blissfully playing a gorgeous Martin D-28 Marquis

Catch the next FREE Martin Guitar Clinic featuring Blues & Rag guitarist, Kenny Sultan! See the event listings under Shows-Workshops-Jams. Coming up next....FREE Summer GUITAR GEAR GIVE-AWAY featuring Martin Guitar and Planet Waves accessories!!!

The Gift of Music

FREE Summer Guitar Gear Give-Away!!! Win great guitar accessories from Planet Waves and C.F. Martin Guitar starting July 1 st, 2009

Dr. M. & her Martin D-16 perform at schools, hospitals, nursing homes and extended care facilities.

One of the unfortunate fall-outs from this "iffy" economy is when people begin to put the brakes on giving to charity. Now it isn't a wise thing to go into debt just to make a huge contribution to a favorite cause. However, we can't allow ourselves to be self-absorbed either. I remember Jesus saying something about observing the sparrows and lilies of the field. They don't sow, reap nor store in barns but our heavenly Father cares for them. Yes, we're worth much more than them! While we want to be good stewards of our funds, there are things that we can offer to our communities that don't involve large sums of cash. The catch is that YOU and your music are the donation.


PLAYING FOR A LIVE AUDIENCE The first thing is that you'll want to get away from the idea that you're skills are not good enough to play for an audience, paying or otherwise. Forget that sort of thinking. It is not just your musical skills you are displaying when you do a charity concert or performance. Your personality, sense of humor and life experiences are also on stage and can offer much to the overall presentation. I've seen musicians with incredible virtuosity who nonetheless had no stage presence or rapport with the audience. They appeared uncomfortable and no one seemed to be enjoying themselves. Get a couple of songs in your set list that really rock and that others have said they like hearing you sing. Take your time and learn these cold. In between songs, take the time to introduce the next tune perhaps giving a little history about it. Talk to your audience!


SEE THE LIGHT One thing that I have found is you often can not predict what the lighting conditions are going to be on stage or at the facility you are playing. Therefore I have learned to keep a music light such as the GigLight by Lampcraft shown here. It folds very compactly in its own carrying case which then is chucked into my gig bag. I use the Super GigLight in the studio and it is amazingly bright. Same thing for your signal processors, stomp boxes or other effects if you use electric instruments. Make sure they are well lit enough so you can see them even on a dark stage. As far a a guitar multi-effector, I'd have to say my BOSS GT-10 is perhaps the brightest. Units that have an on board tuner with a silent bypass are also golden as is this unit and my DigiTech Vocalist Live 4.

CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE If you are playing for, let's say a Veteran's Center or VFW Post, consider putting in a few well known patriotic songs. This is a musical touchstone for your audience to encourage them to participate by singing along. Don't be stuck on yourself. You are an entertainer. Getting the audience involved in the show is an important aspect providing that entertainment. If you are playing for a nursing home or hospital, keep in mind that the medical staff, visitors and family may also be present. Play something for them too. Don't assume for instance that extended care facilities consist only of the elderly. There are many young patients admitted for short stays as they convalesce from injuries or receive physical therapy before being able to live on their own again. Unless it is specifically designated as a retirement home, you will do well to include some modern pieces. Same thing applies for children's charities such as a youth home or orphanage. What do you think they would like to hear?


INSTRUMENTS I started out my music ministry with an American made Oscar Schmidt Autoharp with a split in the top. It didn't matter. I went with what I had and over time God blessed me with ALL the equipment and more that you see here at Eclectic Sound. Much of it stays in the studio and is used for recording but my other instruments such as this beautiful Martin D-18 in sustainable cherry are constantly on the road. When doing charity programs, you might want to bring out your "work horse" rather than your "show horse". I witnessed one young man accidentally kick over his prized Taylor acoustic-electric guitar during his performance. I felt so bad for him because it was an expensive gift from his father. Now it was chipped and scratched. If you are performing for physically impaired or mentally disabled individuals, do not take your best instruments there. You'll be so uptight worrying about you gear that you might as well have stayed home. Both my Martin D-16GT and my D-18 are extremely well made. They have little or no ornamentation but are both great sounding instruments. That's what you want on the road. If a disabled person or child wants to strum the strings, I'm not worried. You want people to reach out to you and your music. Since my electric Autoharp is such a rare instrument, I have often taken it around after the program so that people in the audience can both see and touch it. In that way you reach them in a very deep and meaningful way.


THE WRAP One of the main blocks to creativity and effective problem solving is negative thinking. Grumbling, complaining and being unthankful never got anyone out of anything. I have found that by taking the focus off of myself and placing it on people who really have challenges, I can put things in proper perspective. It also helps me to remember that God will never leave nor forsake us. Think of people right in your own community who have lost the use of their legs or arms. This is something that an improved economy will not change. Get involved! Most facilities of this type have a recreation director whom you could speak with about volunteering. You can bring much joy to your neighbors who no matter what the economic times, have so little.


Check out Martin's FREE Guitar Clinics this summer with Blues-Rags musician, Kenny Sultan! Dates for Kenny's performances and the 2009 Martin's Owner's Club Event are listed under SHOWS-WORKSHOPS-JAMS in the banner ad section. FREE Guitar Gear Give-Away starts on JULY 1st, 2009 so check back!